Hamstrong prosthetic hamstring/ post chain brace

ABSTRACT

The Hamstrong Prosthetic Hamstring/Post Chain Brace is a device that has been invented to assist in the rehabilitation process of a variety of sports/work related injuries, and to aid in sports performance. It consists of a heavy duty belt to be worn above the pelvis, a sturdy buckling system that attaches on the calf muscles and below the knee, and a latex band system that connects to the two points. This system acts as a prosthetic hamstrings muscle group; it pulls against anterior pelvic tilt, and serves as a prevention/rehabilitation tool. The device has adjustable tension by changing either the band resistance or replacing the band. Low Back muscles, hip flexors, and abdominals are also stimulated while wearing the device. The Hamstrong addresses postural alignment, and can strengthen the hamstrings, muscles in the groin, and hip flexors simultaneously. The device is university proven to be effective.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to devices used for rehabilitation and general training with regard to hamstring injuries. In particular, the rehabilitation and general training of the hamstring muscle complex, consisting of the Biceps Femoris, the Semitendinosus, and the Semimembranosus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION & PRIOR RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention created by Russell T. Whitt relates to a training device. Prior to this invention, various wraps and wrapping techniques are known. However, Mr. Whitt is unaware of any device including all of the features and aspects of the present invention.

A need has arisen to assist in and support contractile muscular tissues, ie. muscles comprising the hamstring, by mechanically supporting the normal musculature while the damaged soft tissue is healing. Such mechanical support hastens the rehabilitation process. Such support is also desirable as the patient resumes normal unrestricted activity to preclude recurrences of prior injuries. It is with these aspects in mind that the present invention was developed.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,608,026 Mass Suit: An exercise device, for use in strengthening, training, and rehabilitating the body, using at least two harnesses and at least one elastic element. The harnesses are attached to the body and have mating clips attached to them to establish anchor points. The elastic element has a pair of clip receptacle for attaching to the mating elements and has an elastic cord extending there between. When the clip receptacles are secured to the mating clips at a pair of anchor points, body movements relative to the anchor points are resisted by the elastic elements. The Mass Suit tubing system is different from the HamStrong Device in three ways:

-   -   Mass Suit is designed primarily for sports performance, total         body workouts, punching, kicking, etc., worn by healthy         athletes. The HamStrong Device is made specifically for         rehabilitation.     -   The Mass Suit tubing system differs from the flat bands of the         HamStrong Device. The tubing does not follow the full line of         the hamstring muscle. Tubing would roll side to side of the         hamstring. Because of this, they crisscross the resistance         system. It does not mimic the hamstring, as does the HamStrong         Device. The angle of the resistance does not follow the line of         the hamstring in the Mass suit. HamStrong Devices' FLAT band         system does not run the full length of the femur, but it crosses         both the proximal and distal insertimus of the hamstring, and         crosses over the glutes.     -   Surgical tubing provides a different resistance stimulus than         does flat tubing. At some point of the ranges of motion of the         Mass Suit, the tubing will go slack. The FLAT band system of the         HamStrong Device is constantly under tension and will not go         slack.         U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,928 Barile et al shows a device, which         includes a short pant with both a drawstring and cinches         designed to cinch the leg portions tightly. Hook and pile         fastening halves are disposed at various areas in the front and         back of the pant and two elongated straps having hook and pile         fastening halves on their ends are attached at one end to side         seams of the pant. Through manipulation of these straps as well         as auxiliary straps forming a part of the present invention, the         user may provide proper support for their musculature to         facilitate rehabilitation.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,428 Earl et al. shows an elasticized garment intended to provide exercise to the upper legs, hips, buttocks and abdominal muscles of a wearer, the garment being generally in an inverted, U-shaped configuration. An upper portion of the elasticized garment is intended to be attached to a rear waist portion of the wearer, to which upper portion, the upper ends of a pair of elongate, elasticized descending members are firmly attached. The lower end of each of the elasticized descending members has an attachment arrangement permitting attachment on the rear side of an upper leg portion of the wearer, with these elasticized descending members thus serving to resist to a desirable degree, the wearer's forward leg motion. I preferably utilize a pair of thigh-encircling members, to which the lower ends of the elasticized descending members may readily and removably attach. In this way, the wearer can derive a desired amount of exercise during walking or running. Should the wearer so desire, my novel garment can be worn directly over street clothes, and the lower ends of the descending members can be readily detached from the thigh-encircling members, should at any point the wearer wish to discontinue the exercise effort.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,002 Morrisseau shows an orthotic garment (1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) has adhesion bases (2) on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment, injury protective strips of material (3) attached selectively to the adhesion bases, and a body-protective wrapper such as webbing (4), an injury-covering strap (13) or tape (11) that is fastened selectively to an outside periphery of the garment on an injured portion of a person's body. A method includes determining advantageous support for an injury on a person; providing a garment that fits onto an injured portion of the person and has adhesion bases on injury-protective portions of the orthotic garment; attaching injury-protective strips of material to the adhesion bases; positioning the orthotic garment on the injured portion of the person and wrapping an outside periphery of the orthotic garment selectively to protect the injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,410 Robinett et al shows Athletic Shorts are a tight fitted running shorts that improve the performance of running or walking by utilizing gravity as a source of energy. The shorts have elastic straps attached from the waist and extend across the front side of the leg to the bottom near the leg opening of the shorts. When standing straight up the elastic is elongated by the weight of the leg. The elongated elastic provides a pulling energy for the leg by contracting when moving up in a step of a walk or stride of a run. When the step or stride is lowered back to the ground the elastic is again elongated by the weight of the leg. The repeated action of the contraction and elongation of the elastic straps provide increased performance when walking or running Leg Adjustment Straps around the bottom of the shorts are used to draw the shorts tight to the leg. Athletic Shorts increase performance when gauging time over a fixed distance utilizing gravity of the leg as a source of energy in the physical walking or running action.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,185 Drennan et al shows a dynamic hip stabilizer utilized to prevent postoperative and recurrent traumatic hip dislocations. The stabilizer includes a pelvic girdle defining an upper opening for the wearer's waist and a lower opening for the wearer's hips, at least one thigh cuff defining an upper opening for a thigh of the wearer and a lower opening for a lower region of the wearer's thigh, and elastic cables attached to the pelvic girdle and the thigh cuff and extending there between in a longitudinal direction of the stabilizer. The stabilizer further includes channeling features associated with the pelvic girdle for guiding and controlling movement of the cables in directions transverse to the longitudinal direction of the stabilizer. The stabilizer may optionally include lateral extensions that connect the girdle to each thigh cuff.

SUMMARY

The HamStrong Prosthetic Hamstring/Post Chain Brace is a device that has been invented to assist in the rehabilitation process of hamstring injuries as well as perform as a training aid for those who wish to prevent a hamstring injuries. The hamstring muscle complex consists of three muscles: the Biceps Femoris, the Semitendinosus, and the Semimembranosus. All three muscles attach at the pelvis, at level below the buttocks. The muscle group runs down the back of the femur and attaches to the two bones of the lower leg, the Fibula and Tibia. The resistance bands of the HamStrong device “cover” or “run over” the insertions of the muscle groups as well as the muscles themselves, providing varying levels of resistance/assistance in movements from lunging, squatting, to walking, jogging and sprinting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIGS. S1 and S2: These figures illustrate the alignment of the FLAT bands with the persons hamstring to provide maximum support.

FIG. S3: This figure illustrates the points of attachment at the waist and the knee

FIG. S4: This figure demonstrates the adjustable Velcro closure of the waist belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Description of the Device

The Prosthetic Hamstring consists of three main components.

-   -   A belt to be worn above the pelvis     -   A system of resistance bands that attach from the belt to a         strap below the knee     -   The anchor point-knee strap

Description of the Belt

The belt is the primary support system for the device. The belt has a wider point at the back, to ride firmly above the pelvis, and a narrower front to allow for ease of hip flexion and extension. The belt has multiple adjustable anchor points for the bands to attach, will cover the attachment points of the hamstrings muscle groups. The belt is to be made of heavy-duty nylon with a firm foam core, and is ergonomically friendly to the wearer. The belt is secured by an overlapping Velcro buckle system, similar to many weight lifting belts. One part of the belt overlaps the other, with the Velcro double backing on itself for a firm hold. The Velcro buckle system is to be secured by a system constructed of aluminum, steel, hard plastic, titanium, or any other alloy. The rear band attachment points as well are to be constructed of aluminum, steel, hard plastic, titanium, or any other alloy. The interior of the belt will consist of a foam padding covered by a moisture wicking cloth, to ensure a comfortable, firm, and dry fit during strenuous activity. Depending on the size of the wearer, and the size of the device, the belt will be made longer, wider, or shorter and narrower. The rear band anchor points will also be adjustable, capable of moving both inward and outward. See FIGS. S1, S2, and S4.

Description of the Bands

The bands are to be made of flat latex, and will be color-coded in various levels of strengths. For example, light gauge bands can be yellow, medium gauge bands can be blue, heavy bands can be green, and super heavy bands can be black. The bands will have adjustment lines inked into the latex, for equal and uniform adjustment by the wearer. The flat latex band differs from surgical tubing in that the slightest tension will prevent slackness and laxity in the band, and will offer some level of resistance, support, and stability. The bands can vary in width and length depending on the size of the user and the belt. See FIGS. S1-S3.

Description of the Anchor Point Knee Strap

The knee strap is constructed of similar materials as the belt, with a horizontally fitting nylon strap that will be sewn over a neoprene brace. The neoprene brace will come in various sizes and will sit firmly right below the knee joint. The horizontal nylon strap will feature an overlapping nylon and Velcro strap used to tighten the device below the knee. Attached to the strap and neoprene brace is an anchor point for the latex band system. This anchor point is to be made of the same dimensions and material as the anchor points on the belt. To simulate the insertion of the hamstrings to the tibia and the fibula, the system of bands descending from multiple points on the belt will all link to one buckle system behind the knee. To prevent rubbing or chaffing, there will be padding sewn into the brace between the buckle insertion and the back of the leg. See FIGS. S1-S3.

Uses of the Device Hamstring Injury Rehab

Due to the sprinting motion, the hamstrings group is placed under great stress when stopping the forward motion of the lead leg when concentric firing of the hamstring is initiated, and when the lead foot strikes the ground, pulling the body forward. It is during this chain of events when most hamstring injuries occur.

Post-injury hamstring rehab lacks a consistent protocol. Inactivity of the hamstrings group, while healing, causes scarring of tissue, which leads to problems with blood flow and gaining full strength/recovery. Current modalities for hamstring injuries consist of ice, compression, rest, electrical stem, massage, static stretching, and cold/hot tub treatment. After an undetermined period, the afflicted athlete, to their pain tolerance, will progress to jogging, accelerating, and eventual sprinting.

The HamStrong device reduces workload on the hamstrings during the typically painful concentric phase, allowing the user to perform full ROM activity sooner to allow a more advanced and systematic rehab protocol. Moving through full ROM will reduce the troublesome scar tissue buildup associated with hamstring re-injury. The hamstring can then be fired with the assistance of the device, which will aid the central nervous system in “trusting” the muscle group, and can reduce the “biting” pain sensation that often is associated with hamstrings injuries and the concentric contraction of the muscle group. This is the initial draft of description and components of hamstring prosthesis. The following will use a base term breaking down the device into four main parts. Each main part will be followed with information pertaining to that specific part. 

1. A rehabilitation device, for use by a user, having a body, for rehabilitating, strengthening, and training the body comprising: A belt worn above the pelvis, which has a wider point at the back, to ride firmly above the pelvis, and a narrower front, to allow for ease of hip flexion and extension. The belt has multiple adjustable anchor points for the bands to attach, will cover the attachment points of the hamstring muscle groups. An anchor-point knee strap constructed of similar materials as the belt, with a horizontally fitting nylon strap that will be sewn over a neoprene brace. The horizontal nylon strap will feature an overlapping nylon and Velcro strap used to tighten the device below the knee. Attached to the strap and neoprene brace is an anchor-point for the latex band system. This anchor-point is to be made of the same dimensions and material as the anchor points of the belt. To simulate the insertion of the hamstring to the tibia and the fibula, the system of bands descending from multiple points on the belt will all link to one buckle system behind the knee A system of resistance bands, that attach from the belt to a strap below the knee that are made of flat latex. The bands will have adjustment lines in or on the latex, for equal and uniform adjustment by the wearer.
 2. The rehabilitation device as sited in claim 1 to consist of anchor-points at the attachment points of the hamstring groups consisting of two D rings or a locking clip through which the elastic band is threaded and can be adjusted to increase or decrease tension on said band.
 3. The rehabilitation device as sited in claim 1 to consist of flat elastic bands marked by imprinted lines or molded groves or ridges for equal tension adjustment.
 4. The rehabilitation device as cited in claim 1 to consist of flat elastic bands of different thicknesses to allow rehabilitation or strengthening of the hamstring muscle groups.
 5. The rehabilitation device as cited in claim 3 to consist of flat elastic bands that parallel the hamstring muscle groups to allow rehabilitation or strengthening of said group.
 6. The flat elastic bands as cited in claim 4 to consist of color-coding to indicate various levels of strengths.
 7. The rehabilitation device as cited in claim 1 to consist of a neoprene brace that will sit firmly right below the knee joint with padding sewn into the brace between the buckle insertion and the back of the leg.
 8. The rehabilitation device as cited in claim 1 to consist of adjustable rear band anchor point capable of moving both inward and outward to ensure flat elastic bands are parallel to hamstring muscle group.
 9. The rehabilitation device addresses the physical issues of the anterior pelvic tilt, which causes excessive tightness in the hamstring muscle group, and can cause other problems in the low back, hip flexors, and the abdominals. The applied tension of the device physically reduces anterior pelvic tilt when worn. 